St Brendans Well

Marked, but not named on 1842 OS 6-inch map. On W side of road, at foot of E-facing slope. Overgrown, open rectangular well, recessed into slope; dry stone walling (H 1m) on three sides, access on fourth side (E) with some paving. Well filled by stream from W. No evidence of holy use. Possibly the 'Tobar Breauka' referred to by Windele (1897, 379) 'whose waters are good for headaches and sore eyes'. Called 'St Bernard's Well' in 1838 OS Field Book which also noted 'a patron held at well for many years, but not at the present time' (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 1, 229). In 1906, Grove White (ibid.) visited well and was told people came on Easter Sundays and that water cured 'all diseases'. (See photograph ibid., opp. 222) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

Linked to St Brendan the Navigator, a 6th-century Irish monk and saint associated with numerous legends of sea voyages and holy wells. The well may have been a site of pilgrimage and healing, with traditions of water collection for physical or spiritual cure.